Miele Dishwasher F11 Drain Error: Filter Cleaning Guide

Quick Answer

The Miele dishwasher F11 error indicates a drainage failure where water remains in the tub. The most common fix is cleaning the triple filter assembly at the bottom of the cabinet to remove food debris and blockages.

When your Miele shows F11 mid-cycle, don't panic. Nine times out of ten it's just the triple filter being overdue for a cleaning, and you can fix it yourself in about 10 minutes without any special tools. But if you ignore it and keep forcing cycles, you risk burning out the drain pump motor, which turns a free fix into a $90 part plus a service call. Start with the filter. Always.

MieleDishwasherSeverity: moderate85% DIY Success

Time to Fix

5–60 min

Difficulty

beginner

Parts Cost

$20 – $95

Tools Needed

Soft-bristle brush or toothbrush (filter cleaning), Needle-nose pliers (impeller debris removal)

What Does the F11 Code Mean?

Miele dishwashers watch drain pump current and flow to confirm the tub's actually empty. If the pump runs its full programmed time and still senses water, it logs F11. Here's the thing about Miele's triple filter: it's way finer than what you'll find on a Bosch or KitchenAid, so it clogs faster. And the sneaky part? A mostly-blocked filter can still drain most of the water, making you assume it's fine when it's actually the whole problem.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Clogged triple filter assembly (most common by far)40%

Foreign object blocking the drain pump impeller24%

Kinked or incorrectly installed drain hose14%

Failed drain pump motor12%

Blocked sink drain or air gap causing back-pressure10%

Symptoms You May Notice

F11 flashes on the display right as the cycle should be finishing, and the machine just stops.
Older Futura Classic and Futura Diamond models show 'Drain' in text on the display instead of a fault code.
You open the door and there's standing water covering the whole bottom of the tub, sometimes half an inch deep.
The machine stops mid-cycle without any warning, water still visible through the door.
It drains almost completely but F11 still fires because 'almost' isn't good enough for Miele's sensors.

Can you reset a Miele dishwasher to clear the F11 code?

Hit Start/Stop to cancel the cycle. The machine'll run a short drain sequence on its own. Once it's done, open the door and clean out the filter before you do anything else. Close the door and start a fresh cycle. F11 clears itself once the machine completes a successful drain, so you won't need to manually reset any codes.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Soft-bristle brush or toothbrush (filter cleaning)Needle-nose pliers (impeller debris removal)Multimeter (pump motor test if needed)Flashlight

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range130–250 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Drain Pump6239562 (G 4000-5000), 10760540 (G 6000-7000) · $45–$95	6239562 (G 4000-5000), 10760540 (G 6000-7000)	$45 – $95
Triple Filter Set10478240 · $20–$45	10478240	$20 – $45

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean the Miele dishwasher filter?

Miele says every 2-4 weeks, but honestly if you're running it daily and cooking real food, once a week is smarter. The triple filter assembly takes maybe 5 minutes to pull out, rinse, scrub with a toothbrush, and pop back in. Way faster than waiting on a tech. I've had customers call me for an F11 service visit and the fix was literally just running water over the filter for 90 seconds. Don't be that person.

Why does my Miele dishwasher show 'Drain' instead of F11?

Older Miele Futura Classic and Futura Diamond models, basically anything before the G 4000 series, use text messages instead of F-codes. So you'll see 'Drain', 'Intake', or 'Intake/Drain' on the display. It's the exact same problem as F11, just a different generation of control board. Same fix too. Start with the filter and work your way through the steps just like you would for F11.

Can F11 damage my Miele dishwasher?

The error itself won't damage anything. The control unit cuts power to the drain pump before it can overheat, so that part's protected. But here's where people get into trouble: if you keep forcing cycles with a jammed impeller, the pump motor eventually burns out. That's when a free filter cleaning turns into a $90 part plus a service call. So don't ignore F11 and hope it clears itself.

My Miele dishwasher drains most of the water but still shows F11. Why?

Classic sign of a nearly-blocked microfilter. The mesh looks fine but it's coated with a thin film of compacted food particles, grease mostly, that doesn't wash off under the tap. That film cuts flow enough that the pump can't empty the sump within the programmed drain time. Miele's sensors are tight, so 'mostly drained' still triggers F11. Pull the filter and actually scrub it with a brush. Running water alone won't cut it.

How much does it cost to replace the drain pump on a Miele dishwasher?

The pump itself runs $45 to $90 for most G series models depending on the generation. Parts are available through Miele's parts site or third-party suppliers. Labor on top of that is usually $100-$150 for a tech visit. If you're comfortable with basic disassembly, it's a realistic DIY job, probably 45 minutes once you've got the part in hand. Disconnect power, pull the lower panel, remove the filter assembly to access the sump, and swap the pump. Just make sure you've got the right part number for your specific model before you order.

Related Miele Dishwasher Error Codes

Code: HUBMiele Dishwasher Error Codes: Full List Code: RESETHow to Reset a Miele Dishwasher Code: F70Miele Dishwasher F70 Waterproof System

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Miele shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Miele dishwasherMiele Dishwasher Error Codes: G Series Models Miele dishwasherMiele Dishwasher F70 Waterproof System Error Fix Miele dishwasherMiele Dishwasher F14 Intake Error: Water Not Entering Miele dishwasherMiele Dishwasher F78 Error Code: Circulation Pump Fault Miele dishwasherMiele Dishwasher F13 Error Code: Salt System Fault Miele dishwasherHow to Reset a Miele Dishwasher and Clear Fault Codes

Models Known to Experience F11 Errors

This repair applies to most Miele dishwashers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

G 4228 SCVi, G 4310 SC, G 5265 SCVi, G 5210 SC, G 6360 SCVi, G 6100 SC, G 6770 SCVi K2O, G 7160 SCVi, G 7100 SC, G 7460 SCVi

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 14, 2026